Jake.

I disagree. I feel like I've accomplished something more when I catch a 18" wild Brown Trout, in its natural habitat, than when I catch some genetically mutated 5 lb. Rainbow trout in a stocked pond. And trust me, the wild Brown Trout is much more challenging. I do agree that in bass fishing bigger is always better, but that isn't the case with every species.

St Croix Avid 5'-0" UL Fast Shimano Symetre 500FJ This is my ultralight setup and it works great. I like using the shorter UL rods because they make fighting the fish more fun and don't get tangled in the underbrush when fishing deep in the woods.

Not true. According to Shimano, they make their own blanks.

Lucky Craft Sammy and Gunfish.

The Chargers need to lose one before the playoffs...they always seem to lose early in the postseason when they are on a big winning streak. The Titans are desperate right now, so they should bring their A game. I saw Chris Johnson play at ECU, he is scary good.

It might be this one: http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_97966_100001000_100000000_100001000_100-1-0 You might not be able to find much on it because it's only sold by Bass Pro.

Very good. It has a small spool that doesn't hold much line, so it can cast light lures very well.

We did this on the roof of the neighborhood clubhouse at about 2am. Not very smart...

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1260821137 http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1225108039/7#7

But if bigger is always better, than why would you even fish for the 40 lb. Muskie when you can catch a 100 lb. Tarpon? Tarpon grow to much larger sizes, so why would you bother with the Muskie? How many tarpon do you see swimming around in Minnesota? There are big fish in almost every location. That wasn't the best example. But my point is, if bigger is always better, why would you fish for any species other than the biggest one in your area? It can be just as fun to catch a 15 lb. red as a 40 lb. King as long as you are using gear that is scaled for the size of the fish you are going after.

No: http://www.japantackle.com/Tuning_parts/Change_cork_knobs.htm

But if bigger is always better, than why would you even fish for the 40 lb. Muskie when you can catch a 100 lb. Tarpon? Tarpon grow to much larger sizes, so why would you bother with the Muskie?

They might end up playing the Bengals again in the playoffs. It seems every time they play each other it's a really close game. Rivers is carrying the team on his back right now. And the Broncos lost to Oakland. 8-)

It's hard to believe those reviewers when many of them also say that the Ugly Stick is the best rod out there.

I might be crazy, but, Cowboys in an upset.

I didn't notice any improvements from using red hooks whatsoever. The red paint fades after a few fish anyway so I don't see the point. But if they give you more confidence in your lure, use them.

We're getting about 4-6". There's going to be plenty of wrecks tomorrow. :-/

Fishing for bass and fishing for trout are totally different. I agree that I would rather catch a 12" wild Brookie in a stream than a 2 pound stocked Rainbow in a trout pond. But for me, bass fishing is about the size of the fish.

For weightless plastics I would go with the discontinued Chronarch 50 MG. It has a light spool and casts light lures very well. You could find one new or slightly used for around $200.

Which rods at the $200 price point have you fished other than the BPS Elite? Kistler Helium, Carrot Stix Gold, and G Loomis. Only ones I fish regularly of those are Loomis. The other two were for a hour or so to check them out when friends had them. The Mossyback Loomis 7'1 MH jig rod I have weighs more by a good deal than the 7'6 MH Elite that I have. The 7'6 Elite is also MUCH better balanced. Loomis rod sells for $45 more. There are several more brands and models at the $200 point that you haven't fished. Do you just "know" that the BPS Elite is better than all of them?

Which rods at the $200 price point have you fished other than the BPS Elite?

This seems unfair.... completely bashing a reel's performance based on fiddling with a display model that is abused daily. Maybe it's just an anti-Shimano bias?

Bearings: www.bocabearing.com Drag Washers: www.smoothdrag.com Handles/Spools/Knobs: www.brooklynbillstackleshop.com www.japantackle.com www.bass.jp

It would be anticlimactic, but a very fun game to watch. Go Chargers.

That is the normal retail price.